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Old 07-06-2021, 11:24   #1
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Fiberglass & gelcoat repair

Hello all,

I wanted to ask if anyone cared to comment or provide advice regarding a fiberglass and gelcoat repair I'm considering attempting myself. Here are some pictures. A previous owner used screws to attach a piece of rubber to provide cushioning for the swim ladder. Apart from the damage where the screws were located, it appears that this issue has caused the gelcoat to crack all the way up to the top.

[IMG][IMG][/IMG][/IMG]

thanks
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Old 07-06-2021, 11:49   #2
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Re: Fiberglass & gelcoat repair

Welcome to the forum, Andy.

The four images didn't come through, at least to me. If that's the case for everyone, do try again. I and others would be glade to comment. It does not sound like a job you can't take on.
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Old 07-06-2021, 13:06   #3
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Re: Fiberglass & gelcoat repair

Trying to post the pics again.

Thanks tkeithlu.



https://drive.google.com/file/d/15ou...ew?usp=sharing
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Old 07-06-2021, 17:36   #4
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Re: Fiberglass & gelcoat repair

That looks deeper than gelcoat. If the existing gel coat is ground out for new, it looks like you might find a seam that wasn't glued well.
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Old 08-06-2021, 12:35   #5
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Re: Fiberglass & gelcoat repair

Quote:
Originally Posted by andycbush View Post
Hello all,

I wanted to ask if anyone cared to comment or provide advice regarding a fiberglass and gelcoat repair I'm considering attempting myself. Here are some pictures. A previous owner used screws to attach a piece of rubber to provide cushioning for the swim ladder. Apart from the damage where the screws were located, it appears that this issue has caused the gelcoat to crack all the way up to the top.
I think you have 2 different issues. I don't think that seam crack pictured was caused by the swim ladder bumper attachment. As tkeithlu said, "it looks like you might find a seam that wasn't glued well."
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Old 08-06-2021, 16:31   #6
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Re: Fiberglass & gelcoat repair

Time to get some West System products and repair/replace the seam. It doesn't take alot of work to fix but will take some time to match the gel coat or paint color.

As said previously, you will need to repair someone else's mistake when building/using the boat. The seam is coming apart. Maybe someone hit a dock and caused the damage.
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Old 08-06-2021, 17:16   #7
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Re: Fiberglass & gelcoat repair

Hi Andy-

Here is the picture. It does not look so bad

If the laminate is cracked through and through you'll need to address that.
Otherwise it could be a classic 'holiday' where the laminate did not kiss the gel coat during the molding process, creating an air pocket and unsupported gel coat.
Can you get at the back side? Can you see daylight through the crack from the inside?
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Old 09-06-2021, 10:24   #8
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Re: Fiberglass & gelcoat repair

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Originally Posted by sailingchiro View Post
Time to get some West System products and repair/replace the seam. It doesn't take alot of work to fix but will take some time to match the gel coat or paint color.

As said previously, you will need to repair someone else's mistake when building/using the boat. The seam is coming apart. Maybe someone hit a dock and caused the damage.
West System products is good stuff.
Poly resin is hollow, enveloped in gel coat and protected from moisture, we don't worry about osmosis. But when damaged we use West System epoxy. Epoxy is a solid resin thus will fill up into the hollow resin at repair and seal the breakage off. Then gel coat will protect that. Epoxy doesn't like UV.
Is worth the extra price of a poly resin during repair. Because it seals the fracture properly rather than risk hollow strands that might allow moisture passage.

Just incase you needed resin understandings and why epoxy about 3 times price or something like that.
Is toxic, protect yourself because we do breathe.
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